Andorra Approves 9 Cardiology Specialists for New Haemodynamics Service at Meritxell Hospital

The Andorran government has approved authorisations for nine part-time cardiology specialists to join the team led by Dr Josep Brugada at Nostra Senyora de Meritxell Hospital.

This step clears the way for the launch of a haemodynamics service this summer, focusing on cardiovascular interventional procedures. The specialists will work alongside Dr Brugada, a titled cardiologist who holds an authorisation to provide these services. He is also the owner of Institut Cardiovascular d’Andorra 2021, SL, the company awarded the public tender for the service.

The hospital has already prepared a dedicated room for basic and scheduled interventions, such as pacemaker implants or simple intracoronary stent placements. More complex or urgent cases, including code infarct emergencies, will continue to be referred to external reference centres.

Officials estimate the service will benefit around 400 patients each year by eliminating the need for travel abroad. Currently, all interventional cardiology procedures are handled outside Andorra.

Dr Brugada’s involvement builds on prior government support. He received an initial five-year special authorisation in 2021 due to sectoral needs in interventional cardiology. This week, the government renewed it for another two years, following positive assessments from the Andorran College of Physicians, the Technical Committee for Regulated Professions, and the Health Ministry. The renewal allows him to practise as a cardiology specialist in self-employed mode.

The move aligns with efforts to expand hospital offerings, following the model of the breast unit, and to build a closer, more sustainable healthcare system with input from internationally recognised experts.